Telehealth Consultation

Telemedicine has been defined by the Institute of Medicine as "the use of electronic information and communications technologies to provide and support health care when distance separates the participants." VA has a history of leadership in the use of information technology to improve health care for veterans. In the rapidly changing world of health care and information technology, telemedicine plays an important role in the overall processes and outcomes of health care delivery by

• Improving access to care for veterans who live in remote areas

• Enhancing continuity of care

• Maximizing the quality of care through remote consultations with experts

WRIISC-DC offers tele-health consultation to combat veterans with post-deployment health concerns who may not be able to travel to the WRIISC-DC. The tele-health consultation will involve the veteran (as well as additional family members if possible), the referring clinician, and the WRIISC-DC clinical staff.

We request that the referring clinician submit a WRIISC consultation request via the VA’s electronic computerized patient record system (CPRS). This CPRS WRIISC referral template provides valuable information to the WRIISC-DC clinical team and highlights the veteran’s post-deployment questions and/or concerns. Once this referral is received, a video teleconference will be arranged between the Washington, DC, VAMC and the VAMC of the referring provider. If the veteran is unable to travel to his or her local VAMC to participate on site, a telephone link will be made to the veteran at home. In order to ensure continuity of care, we request that both the veteran and the primary care provider be available for the tele-health consultation.

For further information, please contact Ms. Bonnie Benetato, MSN, MBA at (202) 745-8000 ext 7124 or WRIISC.DC@va.gov .

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